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Famous political analyst encourages college students to honor the MLK legacy

Posted
by Maura Moed on

Juan Williams visits JSU for MLK Convocation

Charles Anthony Smith

Juan Williams served as the keynote speaker at the annual MLK event at Jackson State University. Williams spoke about ‘Black Lives Matter,’ and police brutality in black communities, and even the controversy over Mississippi's state flag. He says he wants to encourage modern-day Mississippians to recognize their role in what he calls "a living history".

"They cant just be tapping into a book or a movie or a documentary. It's understanding that you are living the history of this moment. So, you've got to understand the power of immigration, the changing face of America, and the changing levels of opportunity for people of color in America with a black president, and you've got to engage. You have got to bring doctor King alive in 2016," says Williams.

Williams says Mississippi has made significant strides, but still has room for growth. He says that growth will start with an education.

That is where Director of the Margaret Walker Center, Robert Luckett, says he steps in. He says the growth is there - it just needs to be found.

"It's interesting because I often get asked, 'Why aren't young people engaged? Why aren't they the way they were in the sixties?'. The reality is, I think our young people are engaged," says Luckett.

Luckett says the 'Black Lives Matter' movement is a perfect example of how Martin Luther King Jr.'s message is still relevant - something he feels will never change.

"There's no doubt that this will continue to go on. At Jackson State and through the Margaret Walker Center, we're going to continue to lift up that message, and continue to lift up doctor King, and the words of Juan Williams today," Luckett says.

Both Williams and Luckett both agree that the renowned MLK dream is becoming more and more of a reality.